Automobile signaling device



March 20, 1934. QTANI AUTOMOBILE SIGNALING DEVICE 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28 INVENTOR. W @Zwrul N 5* S y g a m r Ma ATTORNEYS.

March 20, 1934. s. OTANI AUTOMOBILE SIGNALING DEVICE Filed May 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

My present invention relates to an automobile signaling device and particularly to one wherein a lazy-tong mechanism is used.

An object of my invention is to provide a signaling device of the lazy-tong type having an electric signaling means at the end thereof which will not require independent conductor leads for conveying current to the electric device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a signaling device of the lazy-tong type having an electric light at the end thereof with means for controlling the circuit of said light automatically as the lazy-tong is extended.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel type of spring and arrangement thereof for contracting the lazy-tong mechanism.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel type of lazy-tong which is adapted to provide an electric circuit for a device at the end thereof without the use of separate conducting means.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a lazy-tong signaling device having an electric light at the end thereof, means whereby the light circuit will be opened adjacent the light receptacle as the lazy-tong is collapsed.

Another object of my invention is to provide in combination with a current conducting lazy-tong arrangement having an electrical device at the end thereof, means which will open the circuit of said electrical device at both ends of said lazytong as the latter is collapsed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel operating means for a signaling device of the above character.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown by way of illustration only a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In these drawings-- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing my improved lazy-tong arrangement extended to its first position,

Figure 2 shows the lazy-tong of Figure 1 in its collapsed and in closed position,

Figure 3 shows the indicating mechanism at the end of the lazy-tong in its second position,

Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 and shows the indicating mechanism in its third position,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing the lamp circuit making and breaking arrangement at the end of the lazy-tong mechanism,

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 1, looking in the direction of arrows,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing my improved device attached to the side of an automobile and extended to its first position,

Figure 8 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing an improved type of operating mechanism for my signaling device,

Figure 9 is a front elevation, partially in section, of the mechanism shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a disconnected perspective view of the pulley arrangement illustrated in Figure 8', and

Figure 11 is a sectional view at the intersection of the supporting links. 7

In the drawings, 10 designates a casing suitable for mounting upon the exterior of a vehicle such as an automobile. The casing 10 is of such p1{o portions that it will completely enclose the lazytong mechanism when the latter is collapsed. My improved lazy-tong comprises links 11 articulately. connected together in the well-known fashion. The ends of the links 11 are in contact with each other, but at their intermediate joints of connection an electrically insulated joint 12 is provided, as illustrated in Figure 6'. The lower end of the link 11, at the support end of the lazy-tong, is pivoted upon a stationary insulated support 13; and the upper end of the corresponding support ing link 11 is secured to a movable pivot member 14 which is electrically connected to the casing 10 or to the ground circuit of the vehicle.

Adjacent the insulated support 13 I provide a stationary insulated electric contact finger 15 which is adapted to contact with a raised conducting surface or segment 16 carried upon the link 11 pivoted on the support 13. The contact finger 15 is so positioned that as the lazy-tong is extended a circuit will be established between the finger 15 and the segment 16. Insulation of the support 13 is provided by a non-conducting member 17 interposed between it and the housing 10. Adjacent the pivot 13 and connected to the intermediate joint of the lazy-tong supporting links 11 I provide a flat spring 18 which normally tends to collapse the lazy-tong by exerting a pressure about the pivot 13. This arrangement of the spring 18 exerts a substantially uniform pressure tending to collapse the lazy-tong throughout its range of movement.

The movable pivot 14 is shown as mounted upon a vertically extending guide 19 and is provided with a flexible cable 20 which passes over a sheave 21 and connects with a suitable operating mechanism, which, in Figure 1, is illustrated as comprising a lever 22 and a segment 23. The segment 23 is provided with notches which function to hold the lever 22 in difierent positions when moved thereto. The segment 23 is shown as having three notches or positions into which the lever 22 is moved in extending the laZy-tong. When the lazy-tong is in its neutral position the lazy-tong mechanism will be collapsed and en closed within the housing 10, as shown in Figure 2 and when the lazy-tong 22 is operated to the first position upon the segment 23 the lazy-tong will be extended to the position shown in Figure 1. When the lever 22 is moved to the first position the lazy-tong will assume the position shown in Figure 1. As the lever 22 is moved further into the second and third positions upon the segment 23 the lazy-tong mechanism will be extended to the positions illustrated respectively in Figures 3 and 4.

At the first intermediate insulated joint in the lazy-tong from the supported end I provide a loose connection which will permit a limited amount of downward movement in the upper link 11 with respect to its adjacent link. This loose connection is accomplished by providing an elongated hole in the aforesaid upper or pivot link 11, as illustrated in Figure 11, so that the connecting rivet or other securing means can slide freely therein. As a result of this arrangement, I find that the initial movement of the lazy-tong is facilitated. This I attribute to the fact that when the upper link 11 is so displaced downwardly and before the lower link moves the weight of i the lazy-tong mechanism is transferred entirely to the lower link 11 and, as a result, it will tend to rotate outwardly under this assisting influence. ;In addition to this feature I also provide a lip 24 upon the pivot member 14 which cooperates with a hook 25 shown fragmentarily in Figure 2 as formed upon the near side of the signaling member 26. The above referred to downward movement of the upper link 11 also permits a release between the lip 24 and hook 25 so that the lazy-tong will extend with a rapid movement.

Pivotally mounted upon the outer end of the lazy-tong I provide a signaling device 26, having transparent sides 27 through which light may be projected, and within the housing 26 I provide an electric light bulb 28. In Figure 5 the bulb 28 is shown as mounted in a bayonet slot socket 29 of the standard type. The socket 29 is arranged to slide within a tubular receptacle 30 and is retained therein by means of a tension spring 31.

At the point where the member 30 is secured to the lazy-tong I provide an outwardly extending finger 32 on the end of one of the links 11 which is adapted to engage a contact upon the member 30 when the lazy-tong is extended and establish a circuit for the lamp 28. The finger 32 is so arranged with respect to the tubular member 30 that it will disconnect therefrom when the lazy-tong approaches its collapsed position. This arrangement insures, in connection with the con- .tact finger 15, against the possibilities of a short circuit being established by reason of contact between adjacent links when the lazy-tong is collapsed.

In Figures 3 and 4, I have illustrated the positions which the signaling device 26 will assume when the lazy-tong is extended to its two extreme signaling positions. In Figure 1 a stop signal is produced; in Figure 3 a left turn is indicated; and in Figure 4 a right turn is indicated,

A preferred type of operating mechanism for controlling the movement of my lazy-tong is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. In this embodiment of my invention I show a housing 33 which is adapted to be secured within the vehicle body adjacent the operator. Mounted within the casing 32 I provide a reel or drum 34, about which is secured the flexible cable 20, previously referred to. The cable 20 is here shown as extended through the body of the vehicle and passing over a sheave 35 and thence to the movable pivot 14 of the lazy-tong, as previously described. The reel 34 is mounted upon a shaft having three axially displaced gears 36, 37 and 38, and mounted in cooperating relation with said gears I provide respectively racks 39, and 41. The racks 39, 40 and 41 are identical in construction but are each of a different length, the length of which will correspond to the number of turns the drum 3'7 must be given in order to extend the lazy-tong to a position corresponding to the designation assigned to the particular rack.

In Figure 9 the racks are shown as provided, respectively, with operating buttons or handles 42, 43 and 44, so that they may be moved upon their support and into contact with the gears 36, 37 and 38 and thereby rotate the drum 34 to recoil the cable 20. The rack 40 is shown as being shorter than the other two. The operation of this rack will rotate the drum 34 suiiiciently to extend the lazy-tong into the position illustrated in Figure 1, or, in other words, to the stop indicating position. The rack 39 is slightly longer than the rack 40 and when it is moved into operative relation with the gear 36 it will rotate the drum 34 sufficiently to extend the lazytong into the position illustrated in Figure 3, or, in other words, into the left turn indicating position. The rack 41 is the longest of the three and by reason of its greater length it will, when operated, rotate the drum 34 sufficiently to extend the lazy-tong to its extreme position, or, in other words, to the position shown in Figure 4 where a right turn indication will be given. The racks 39, 40 and 41, as previously stated, are movably mounted within the casing 33 and are normally held out of contact with their respective gears by means of a spring 45 which cooperates with a support 46 to which the racks are pivotally attached.

The rack supporting mechanism is best illus trated in connection with rack 39 in Figure 8. In this figure it will be seen that the rack is provided with a shoulder 47 which is adapted to ride over a stationary pin 48, located adjacent to the gears 36, 37 and 38, so that when the rack is moved downwardly by reason of pressure upon the finger 42, the shoulder 47 will force the rack 39 outwardly and into engagement with its corresponding gear 36, so that upon further downward movement of the rack 39 the teeth thereupon will mesh with the gear 36 and cause the drum 34 to be rotated. It is to be understood that each of the racks is constructed in a manner similar to that just described and that the rod 48 extends completely across the casing 33 and in the pathway of each of the racks.

In Figure 10 I have shown an exploded view of an improved type of sheave 35. In this figure of the drawings the sheave support is shown as provided with a cylindrical portion 49 having outwardly projecting tines 50. The cylindrical portion 49 is adapted to project through an opening 51 in a base portion 52. The base portion 52 has radially displaced notches 53 into which the tines 50 are adapted to seat when the sheave is secured in place. As a result of this construction the sheave 35 can be mounted upon the body of the vehicle so as to align with the flexible cable 20, irrespective of the relative positions of the operating mechanism and the lazy-tong.

The operation of my device in producing a stop indication is as follows:

The operator will place his hand upon the button 43, carried by the rack 40, and as pressure is brought to bear upon the button 43, the rack will be moved downwardly over the pin 48 and into engagement with its corresponding gear 37. Further movement of the rack 40 will cause the drum 34 to recoil the cable 20 and extend the indicating device 24 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 7.

If it is desired to indicate a left turn, the operator will exert a pressure upon the button or lever 42 and as a result move the rack 39 downwardly and into engagement with its corresponding gear 36, and since this rack is somewhat longer than the rack 40, the drum 34 will be rotated a greater distance and, as a result, extend the lazy-tong and turn the indicating device 24 to the position shown in Figure 3. If it is desired to indicate a right turn, the operator will exert a pressure upon the button or lever 44 and thus cause the rack 41 to move downwardly and into engagement with its corresponding gear 38. This rack, as previously stated, is longer than the other two and, as a result, the movement thereof will cause a greater turning of the drum 34 and extend the lazy-tong and indicating device into the position illustrated in Figure 4.

After the above operations are carried out in each individual case, the lazy-tong will remain in the position to which it is extended until the operator, by a reverse pressure upon the levers 42, 43 and 44, returns the racks to their initial inoperative positions.

A button 54 is provided on the lower end of the rack 40 for the purpose of returning the rack to its initial position. There is no necessity for similar buttons on the other racks, as they are by reason of the arrangement always accessible to the hand of the operator and are located so that an upward pressure can be exerted thereon at the same point where the rack is operated downwardly. V

In carrying out the above operations, as the lazy-tong approaches its initial signaling position, the contact finger l5 and the segment 16, previously referred to, will engage each other and thus establish a circuit through the lazytong links for the bulb 26, and substantially simultaneously with the contacting of the members 15 and 16 the finger 32 will also connect with the contact at the bottom of the member 30 and establish the light circuit so as to illuminate the indicating device 26.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a signaling device the combination of a casing, means for securing the casing to the exterior of a vehicle, a lazy-tong mounted within said casing comprising a pair of extensible arms, said casing and lazy-tong being relatively so sized that the lazy-tong will lie entirely within the easing when retracted, means for extending said lazy-tong out of said casing, means for retracting said lazy-tong, means insulating the arms of said lazy-tong one from the other, an electric light, means mounting said light at the end of said lazy-tong, a circuit including said light and including separately the two arms of the lazy-tong, and means at the outer end of said lazy-tong for automatically closing the circuit on extension of the lazy-tong and opening the circuit on retraction of the lazy-tong.

2. In a signaling device for vehicles and the like, a lazy-tong of conducting material comprising a pair of pivotally connected extensible arms, means for mounting said lazy-tong on a vehicle, means for insulating said arms from each other at their pivot points whereby they may be used as separate conductors for a circuit, an electric signaling means supported by the outer end of said lazy-tong, an insulated stationary support fixed with relation to the vehicle at the other end of said lazy-tong pivotally supporting the inner link of one of the arms of said lazy-tong, a support pivoted to the corresponding inner supporting link of the other arm of said lazy-tong, means mounting said support for movement relative to the stationary support, an arcuate contact-making segment carried upon said first mentioned supporting link, an insulated contact finger mounted on the supporting means adjacent the insulated stationary support contacting with and being separated from said segment during extension and retraction, respectively, of said lazy-tong, and an electric circuit comprising said electric signaling means, said movable support, said segment and said finger.

3. In a signaling device the combination of a lazy-tong comprising a plurality of crossed links pivotally connected to each other at their outer ends and at points intermediate their ends to form a pair of extensible arms and comprising means to insulate the arms from one another at said intermediate connections, an electric lamp mounted on the outer end of said lazy-tong, a switch, means operable by extension of said lazytong to close the switch and by retraction of said lazy-tong to open the switch, and an electrical circuit including said lamp and said switch, said lazy-tong arms being included in said circuit and forming separate paths for the circuit to said lamp.

4. A signaling device of the character described comprising a casing, a lazy-tong secured at one end within the casing, said lazy-tong comprising a pair of extensible arms pivotally connected together, means insulating said arms from each other at their pivot points, an electric signaling element carried at the other end of the lazy-tong, and a two-conductor circuit for energizing said signaling element, the arms of said lazy-tong being included separately in said circuit.

5. In a signaling device of the character described, a lazy-tong comprising a pair of pivotally connected extensible arms, means to mount the lazy-tong on a support at one end, an electric lamp supported by said lazy-tong at the other end, means to insulate the arms of the lazy-tong from one another at the pivot points, said means comprising at each pivot point an insulating washer between connected arms of said lazy-tong and an insulating bushing carried by one arm for the reception of a pin connecting said arm with the other arm, and an electrical circuit including said arms separately and said lamp.

SHOZABURO OTANI. 

